Controller for motor-vehicles.



G. W. DUNHAM. CONTROLLER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAB-.5, 1909.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

UNITED sTATps PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE DUNHAM,

or LANSING, MICHIGAN, A

or LANsING. MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 OLDS MOTOR wonKs,

CORPORATION or MICHIGAN.

CONTROLLER FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 30,1910.

In the drawings, the controller is illustrated in connection with a portion of a motor vehicle shown in vertical longitudinal section.

A is the dash of a motor vehicle, B the foot board having the inclined portion O at its forward end, as is usual in motor vehicle constructions.

D is the steering stern of the vehicle, E a hand controller shaft extending parallel to the stem D, and F a rock arm connected to a rocli haft- G and operated from-the shaft E. This shaft G has connected there to the rock arm H, which in turn is connected tothe red I extending to the throttle valve J for the Carburetor or other devicev for varying the speed of the motor. There is also a. spring K connected to normally hold the parts-in position for low speed,

1 It is usual to troller in addition to the hand controller by which the speed of the vehicle may be altered, andthis device is usually in the form of a button, which may be depressed by the o erators foot. It is, however, difiicult to old such a controller in diiferent positions of adjustment for the reason that the foot board.

the oscillatior'lof the vehicle tends to produce a corresponding variation of the operators foot.,.I have, therefore, devised a construction of pedal having bearing portions for the foot at different heights above This enables the operator to IOdlICG EJlYFdGSlH-Zd adjustment by first shi ting the foot to the proper bearing on the pedal and then depressing the latter until the footi's in firm contact with the foot board, in which position it may be held without difiiculty,

1 As illustrated, L is a pedal which=is a1;

rovide a foot-actuated con-.

ranged in a slot M in the inclined portion O of the foot board. This pedal is provided with an inclined and I preferably slightly concave bearing face N extending from the fulcrum O to the extreme end. At the fulcrum the face N is preferably substantiall on a level with the face of the foot boar but from that point outward rises gradually,

above the board until at the extreme end it is sufliciently removed for the maximum movement 'of the mechanism. On its lower face the pedal N has a bearing upon a rock arm P which isconnected to the rock shaft G.

With the construction as described, in use the operator is permitted to rest his foot upon the inclined portion 0 of' the foot board, and to control the pedal by shifting the position of contact toward or from the fulcrum. Thus, if the foot is moved outward to the extreme end the maximum de-' gree of movement is imparted to thepedal which operating through the rock arms P and H, and rod 1, adjusts the throttle valve J to full open position for maximum speed. Any de ree of variation may be obtained by shifting the foot rearward from this ex treme position, and in every case the support 0 the foot board will reventoscillation of the foot by the vibration of the vehicle. 7

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination with a foot board, of

a controller pedal fulcrumed at its rear end and havin a concave bearin face gradually inclining upward from t e fulcrum to the forward end of the. pedal.

2. The combination with a footboard, of a controller pedal having a bearing surface inits normal position gradually inclinin upward from the plane of the footboar and having portions successively to the plane of said board.

3. The combination with a footboard, of a controller pedal having an inclined hearing surface extending from the fulcrum, to

depressible the free end and in the normal position of e the pedal gradually inclining upward from the plane of the footboard, said bearing surface having portions successively de-v pressible to the plane of said footboard.

4. The combination with a footboard, of a controller pedal fulcrumed at its rear end having a bearing surface in its normal poboard, and having a sition gradually inclining upward from the plane of t-he'footboard, and havin portions successively depressible to said p ane.

5. The combination with a footboard, of a pedal arranged in an aperture in said board, and provided with a bearing face inclining upward from the board, and having portions successively depressible to the plane of said board.

6. The combination with a foot-board of a pedal arranged'in an aperture in said bearing portion inclining upwardly from the plane of the foot-board, said bearing having portions successively board, and a rock arm arranged in the path of said pedal, beneath said board.

7. The combination with a footboard, of a controller pedal having bearing portions for the operators foot normally at diflerent :20

heights above said footboard and successively depressible to the plane thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. DUNHAM. Witnesses:

N. M. VANCE, LOUISE HOLDEN.

depressible to the plane of said 15 

